Midnight Confession

October 16

(Psalm 119:62-66 NIV) “At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. {63} I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. {64} The earth is filled with your love, O Lord; teach me your decrees. {65} Do good to your servant according to your word, O Lord. {66} Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.”

(Acts 16:22-30 NIV) “The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. {23} After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. {24} Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. {25} About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. {26} Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. {27} The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. {28} But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" {29} The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. {30} He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?””

When we were young, midnight was seen as a magical hour. Staying up until midnight made us feel like adults. As we aged, the hour lost its charm, and being awake at midnight is no longer seen as a blessing. But being awake at midnight can be an opportunity for prayer and praise. The writer of Psalm 119 arose at midnight and gave thanks to God. In his midnight confession, he declared his love for the Lord. His world was far from perfect, but he saw it in a different light than others and lifted up praise to God. In the same way, Paul and Silas sang praises in a midnight confession. After being severely beaten and jailed, they lifted their voices in worship rather than in protest. Their midnight confession was heard by many, and in the end, brought a lost man to salvation. What will your midnight confession be like? May we also see the world differently -- even on the darkest of nights. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day